Bridge Collapses In Wash. State; People, Cars In Water

The Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon, Wash., collapsed Thursday, leaving an unknown number of people and vehicles in the water.

The Skagit Valley Herald reports: "Rescue crews have swarmed to the area to redirect traffic around the site and look for people still in the river. Traffic is reportedly backed up at several roadways and authorities are in the area attempting to help people out of the water."

The newspaper reported that three rescue boats and several private vessels are on the river, trying to reach people sitting on their cars in the water.

Trooper Mark Francis told The Associated Press that the bridge collapsed at 7 p.m., but did not why.

Local radio station KGMI in Belligham, Wash., is covering the event live, as is KING 5 News in Seattle.

"From what we're hearing from initial reports, a steel bridge going over the Skagit River, this is an interstate bridge between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., collapsed right around 7 p.m. Pacific. There are sketchy initial reports that perhaps an oversized truck may have struck part of the bridge although that's unconfirmed."